G-FINDER

Overview

Neglected Diseases

Since 2008 Policy Cures has reported on global investments into neglected disease research and development (R&D) through G-FINDER tools and reports. G-FINDER is a uniquely informative data source, providing policy-makers, funders, researchers and industry with objective, previously unavailable information on the state of investment, trends and patterns:

in 34 neglected diseases,

across 138 product areas for these diseases including drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, microbicides and vector control products and

The data includes all types of product-related R&D, including basic research, discovery and preclinical, clinical development, Phase IV and pharmacovigilance studies, and baseline epidemiological studies.

Reproductive Health

In 2014, Policy Cures reported on investment in reproductive health R&D for developing countries. The G-FINDER Reproductive Health 2014 report provides, for the first time, comprehensive information on investment patterns:

in six reproductive health areas as well as core funding to reproductive health R&D organisations

The G-FINDER Public Search Tool provides open access to G-FINDER survey data that is not protected by confidentiality agreements. The Public Search Tool is updated annually and search results can be exported into Microsoft Excel format to support flexible analysis of the data.

A new report launched today shows that global investment into reproductive health products targeted at the developing world was just under US$88m in 2013. The report, Reproductive Health: R&D for the developing world, released by Policy Cures, is the first study of its kind to provide a comprehensive picture of global funding patterns for R&D into reproductive health products in developing countries... more.

Australia is a top funder of neglected disease R&D, ranking 6th globally in 2012. However, this funding is imbalanced, favouring some diseases and R&D areas more than others. There are waiting opportunities for Australia to make the greatest impact possible in the fight against those diseases that afflict the world’s poorest. This factsheet:

Current drugs, diagnostics and vaccines to fight tuberculosis (TB) are often ineffective and out-of-date. The WHO has acknowledged that new TB tools are urgently needed to significantly reduce TB deaths in the developing world. There is hope however, with investment in recent years leading to a number of promising new products moving into the late stages of development. These products have the potential to change lives for the millions worldwide who live with or are at risk of TB. This report:

Explains why current approaches to TB control aren’t working

Provides a snapshot of the major funders for TB R&D

Outlines what new products are in the TB pipeline, and how these could change the future for those with TB

Every year, more than 6 million people in low- and middle-income countries die from neglected diseases, for which the vaccines, medicines and diagnostic tests are either ineffective or completely lacking. This factsheet reviews government funding of the research and development (R&D) needed to make these missing products, including:

Germany is now the fourth biggest public funder of neglected disease R&D globally in absolute terms however, in terms of its spend as a percentage of GDP (in 2012), it ranks below many other European countries including UK, France, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Germany has a strong scientific history and a network of highly regarded research institutes active in R&D. As a G8 economy, Germany has the economic potential, unlike some of its European counterparts struggling to respond to the global economic crisis, to boost its neglected disease R&D funding and to capitalise on its R&D strengths. This report (also in German):

Analyses German public funding from 2007-2012

Gives a who’s-who of German public funders and research institutes

Summarises neglected disease R&D achievements to date and funding opportunities for the future

Effective diagnostics are essential tools for the control, elimination and eradication of neglected diseases, with the ability to quickly and accurately identify infections critical to ensuring that patients receive the treatment they need and halting the further spread of disease. One of the great challenges to monitoring disease emergence and delivering appropriate control measures is the lack of readily available, easy-to-use, reliable and low-cost diagnostic tools. Despite the pressing need for new diagnostics, and the obvious advantages to developing effective diagnostic tools, current funding levels for research and development of new diagnostics are insufficient to meet the needs of many neglected diseases.

This factsheet examines funding of diagnostic research and development globally, based on G-FINDER data, and discusses the urgent need to rationalise funding, diversify funding sources and increase priority driven investments.

Diarrhoea is one of the six conditions identified in the fourth Millennium Development Goal: reduce child mortality, that lead to the majority of child deaths. In 2010, diarrhoeal diseases caused 1.1 million deaths and 66.5 million years of productive life lost in developing countries. Whilst preventive measures such as clean drinking water and sanitation can reduce the risk of infection, research and development (R&D) of new tools is equally important, particularly for vaccines as they can prevent infection.

This factsheet examines funding for diarrhoeal disease R&D globally from 2007-2011 and discusses the need to increase the focus on under-funded disease areas, diversify funding sources and balance funding distribution between basic research and product development.